Legion pumps up PECMHF equipment fund

Pictured at QHC PECMH from left: Briar Boyce, senior development officer with the PECMH Foundation; Tom McCaw, poppy fund chairperson with the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #78, Diane Kennedy, president of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #78 and Shannon Coull, executive director of the PECMH Foundation. Nancy Michaud photo

The Royal Canadian Legion (RCL) presented two donations to the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation that are already making a difference in the quality of care veterans, and the community at large, receive at the County’s hospital.

The donation was a long-time in the making as both grants were approved in 2020, but given restrictions on gathering due to COVID-19, the presentation was delayed.

These combined gifts – a $5,200 grant from the RCL Ontario Command Branches and Ladies’ Auxiliaries Foundation and a $6,500 grant from the RCL Branch #78 in Picton from their poppy fund were made in support of funding vital medical equipment for the hospital in Picton.

The $5,200 was allocated toward the purchase of a crash cart defibrillator now in use in QHC PECMH’s emergency department. Having this equipment in place allows the medical team to stabilize and treat cardiac patients.

“Having a crash cart defibrillator is vital in the resuscitation of a patient who presents with cardiac arrest, whether that care is administered in the Emergency Department or anywhere within Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital,” said Lisa Mowbray, patient services manager at QHC PECMH. “This lifesaving equipment can be used on adult and pediatric patients and is designed specifically for use by medical professionals to respond to cardiac emergencies.”

The $6,500 donation was allocated to the purchase of one IV Infusion Pump. An infusion pump is a medical device that delivers important nutrients and medications into a patient’s body in controlled amounts. These pumps can deliver insulin or other hormones, antibiotics, chemotherapy drugs, and pain relievers and are used throughout Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital.

“The Royal Canadian Legion Ontario Provincial Command Branch and Ladies’ Auxiliaries Charitable Foundation along with Branch #78 are pleased to make these donations that support the hospital. The County hospital has helped many members of our Legion and we are very happy to show our support,” said Tom McCaw, chairperson of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #78 Poppy Fund. “This is just another way we are able to support our veterans, and others living in the community to ensure that they have access to quality health care services.”

The Royal Canadian Legion Charitable Foundation is supported by all Legion Branches and Ladies’ Auxiliaries in Ontario, including Branch #78, Picton, through donations from poppy campaigns and fundraising by the auxiliaries.

The PECMH Foundation expressed its sincere thanks for the current contribution to priority equipment for QHC PECMH and for the many years of generous support.

“We are tremendously grateful for the continued generosity of the Royal Canadian Legion. In challenging times like these, the support of our community groups goes a long way towards helping the hospital foundation fulfill its mission to advance health care for patients of the hospital and people of Prince Edward County,” said Shannon Coull, executive director of the PECMH Foundation. “Their support of essential needs at QHC PECMH is making a difference to everyone who relies on accessing quality care, close to home.”

The Royal Canadian Legion Provincial Command and Ladies’ Auxiliaries Foundation has a strong legacy of supporting healthcare in Prince Edward County donating more than $70,000 to the PECMH Foundation.

“This incredible generosity would not be possible without our local Legion branches in Picton, Wellington, Consecon and Deseronto. Collectively, our partners with the Royal Canadian Legion have given $113,675 to PECMHF since 1998 with $27,050 of that donated on behalf of Branch #78.”